Tennis Can Help You Live Longer

The Copenhagen City Heart Study, which followed over 8,500 people for 25 years, found tennis players have a better chance of living longer than those who engaged in badminton, soccer, cycling, swimming, and jogging. The study projects that recreational tennis players will live an average of 9.7 years longer than they would have otherwise. (Playing badminton may extend life span by 6.2 years, swimming by 3.4 years, and jogging by 3.2 years). Similarly, in a 2020 study published in the International Journal of Exercise Science, recreational tennis players who played at least twice a week were less likely to have obesity, felt more energized, and had better overall health.

The benefits are largely due to tennis’ impact on heart health. Playing tennis three hours a week can reduce your risk of heart disease by over 50%, per the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Additionally, a British study found racket sports, as compared to cycling and running, were uniquely associated with a lower risk for all-cause mortality.

— from Tennis players may live 10 years longer by Alexa Mikhail